Iraq's leaders wrangled over limits on regional autonomy on what could be the final day of negotiations on a new constitution as expectations rose that they would meet today's deadline to clinch a deal.

Parliament was summoned to special sitting today and several negotiators said it was likely the National Assembly would be able to start its review of the new charter right away.

"At this meeting (of parliament), we expect the draft constitution will be delivered," said Nasser al-Awadi, a Sunni Arab member of the constitutional drafting committee.

Bahaa al-Araji, a leading Shi'ite member of the committee, also said the constitution would be ready to be presented to parliament by today's deadline, although talks chaired by President Jalal Talabani were resuming yesterday evening.

The main sticking point has been arguments over the extent of regional autonomy, particularly for Kurds and Shi'ites, as well as Shi'ite demands for a bigger role for Islam in the law.

Small rallies took place in Kurdish towns and the northern oil city of Kirkuk calling for a referendum on Kurdish secession an improbable prospect given opposition in Baghdad as well in Turkey, Iran and Syria, which all have big Kurdish populations.

Many observers expect vague language in the constitution on issues like federalism, leaving it to future negotiation.

After a referendum on the constitution in October, a new general election is scheduled for December.
 
Six US soldiers killed

Meanwhile, roadside bombs killed six US soldiers in Iraq as protesters at US President George W. Bush's Texas ranch demanded he bring troops home.

Under pressure in opinion polls over his handling of Iraq, Bush rejected such a move as "premature".
 
"We're never going to let him have another vacation in peace again," said Cindy Sheehan, whose son died in Iraq last year.

Clinching a timely deal on a constitution is a key goal for Bush, who said the process will undermine rebels among the Sunni Arab minority and aid US plans to hand power to Iraqis.

In another development, gunmen kidnapped the general manager of the Central Bank of Iraq yesterday, police and relatives said.

Hasib Juwaid was abducted outside his house in eastern Baghdad by men in two cars, according to the source.

This was later confirmed by Juwaid's relatives.

Insurgents are waging a campaign of suicide bombings, shootings and kidnappings in a bid to topple the Iraqi Government.

Thousands of Iraqis have been abducted for ransom or for political reasons as part of a violent campaign that has deprived the oil producer of badly needed foreign investment.

(China Daily August 15, 2005)